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Before you end this module, there is one final lesson you need to study. It is true
that the Philippines must have a national language. We must all work together to
achieve this goal. But we must not do so at the expense of forgetting or taking for
granted other languages or dialects spoken in the country. The national language must
not be used as an instrument with which to shut off other cultures or other people.

It is important for you to understand that although it is very important that you
learn to speak our national language, this does not mean it is the only language you
should speak. Speaking in English or in your own dialect does not mean you are not
nationalistic or that you honor our national language less. You can learn to speak the
national language, value your local dialect and be fluent in English at the same time!

In this lesson we will discuss the importance and the functions of the different
Filipino dialects and languages as well as our secondary language, English, in our lives
as Filipinos.

Let’s Try This

Look at the picture below. Take note of the signs that you see.

Does this street look familiar? It is just like any street you would see anywhere in
the Philippines. How many signs were you able to spot? Write them down below.

What do these signs have in common? They are all written in English! These are
familiar signs you see all over the country.

Try to look around your neighborhood. Count how many signs, posters and
advertisements are written in English.

How many were you able to count?

Let’s Try This

Study the picture below.

Let’s Think About This

What is the picture trying to show?

Do you believe that what is portrayed in the picture is really happening in our
country today? How?

Is the situation being portrayed in the picture good or bad for us and for our
country? Why?

Now compare your answers with the ones below:

The Filipino superhero represents the Filipino language. The superhero with the word English on its chest represents the English language.
The picture shows how Filipino is taking the center stage. It is pushing the English language out of the scene. This illustrates how the Filipino language is becoming the sole medium of communication in the Philippines.

Although English is still widely used in the country today, Filipino is
becoming the most favored medium of communication. Although Filipino
remains the language of the masses, even those in the middle class are now
using Filipino to communicate with each other. Filipino is now the language
in school corridors and canteens, in homes and neighborhoods, restaurants,
supermarkets, newspaper, news broadcasts, TV programs, etc. On the other
hand, Filipino has not replaced English as the written and read language of
higher education, in government correspondences and communication, and
in professional licensure exams.

The issue on the use of Filipino as the sole medium of instruction over
English seems to be a never-ending debate. So-called patriotic citizens and
nationalists call for unity and national pride through the use of Filipino as
the sole medium of communication in the whole country. They argue that
countries like Japan, North Korea, China and others were able to achieve
economic progress without the aid of the English language.

On the other hand, these countries are now eager to learn the English
language. They see English as a tool in today’s age of information.
Advances in technology and science are written in English. Therefore, if you
want your country to be globally competitive, English is the language to
learn. Aside from this, it is the English language skills of our Philippine
labor force that attracts foreign investors. Even our Overseas Foreign
Workers (OFWs) have a competitive edge over those from other countries
because of their English speaking skills.

Let’s Read

The Bilingual Education Policy of the Department of Education, Culture and
Sports (DECS) was first implemented in 1974. It was again promulgated in
compliance with the 1987 Constitution.
The bilingual policy involves the use of both English and Filipino as mediums of
instruction in schools all over the country.

Let’s Think About This

How do you think the DECS Bilingual Education Policy will affect the status of
the English language in the Philippines? Write your ideas in the spaces provided
below.

The bilingual policy implies that English is still recognized as a useful and
important medium of communication in the country.

Let’s Learn

Despite the existence of Filipino, the official national language, English is still
widely used in the country today. Do you know why?

English was, after all, our first national language. Filipinos have used it for many,
many years and it has taken root in our culture and consciousness. It is used in media,
like television, newspapers and radio. It is used in entertainment. It is used in official
proceedings and functions—in courtrooms, in the Senate, in government offices and
in business transactions. It is also the language of science, mathematics and
technology.

English is considered the international language and we cannot deny its
importance. We cannot use Tagalog, Filipino or any of our dialects to communicate
with people from different parts of the world. But English is used and understood in
many countries all over the world, and people all over the world understand each other
through it. The countries that use the English language cover almost half of the total
land area of the world.

Also, more and more Filipinos are going abroad to work. They are called
Overseas Filipino Workers or OFWs. They go to work in other countries as laborers,
household servants, entertainers and even as professional workers. They help generate
income for our country. How can they survive in foreign countries if they do not know
how to speak English?

There are many other instances where knowledge of the English language is
important. Another example is when you are using a computer to get information from
the Internet.

Did you know that 80% of all computer websites on the Internet are in English?
The Internet is fast becoming a major force in world business and relations. It is now
the greatest source of information that people all over the world can access. What a
great loss to Filipinos if they cannot make use of this information source because
they cannot understand English!

Also, we will not be able to keep in touch with the latest advances in science and
technology if we have a poor command of English. Most researches and journals on
these matters are, after all, written in English.

Now that we have a national language, should we let go of English completely?

If you take the English language away, our culture would suffer a terrible loss. It
would be like pulling a leg off of our national identity. English is a part of our past,
our culture and our identity as Filipinos. It is, furthermore, the international language.
It is the key that can open doors for us in international relations and political growth.
Why should we throw it away?

Nevertheless, you must keep in mind that Filipino is still our national language.
English and Filipino are both important to us. We must learn to speak and appreciate
them both.

As of today, English is still a very powerful language in the country. You must
learn to speak it if you want to improve your career and your life. When applying for a
job, for instance, it would be an extra point for you if you can speak English fluently.

Let’s Try This

Look at the following picture.

Let’s Think About This

What does the picture portray?

Do you think what is shown in the picture is good for us and for our country?
Why or why not?

Now compare your answers with the ones below:

The picture shows the English language and Filipino, the national language,shoving aside a superhero with “dialect” written on his chest. He represents
the many local dialects spoken in different parts of the Philippines. This
means that because of the great importance we place on English and Filipino,
we are setting aside or rejecting our local dialects.

What is shown in the picture is not good for us and for our country. Our
dialects are as important as English and Filipino. They have their own
functions and roles. They should be given as much importance as the other
two.

Let’s Read

Do you remember Nena? You met her in Lesson 1. She is the girl who lives in a
boarding house with different girls from all over the Philippines.

Let’s Try This

Look at the pictures below. These people are saying “I love you” in the different
languages and dialects spoken in our country.
Just as there are many different ways to express love, so there are many beautiful
ways Filipinos can express themselves through their local dialects. Were you able to
find your dialect in the examples shown above and on the previous page? Using your
dialect shows that you are proud of your people and proud of your Filipino heritage.

Let’s Learn

The Philippines is made up of many different groups of people with many
beautiful but different cultures. Our dialects are representations of these diverse
cultures. If we give up our dialects, it is just like turning our backs on our cultural
identities and heritage.

Learning how to speak Filipino and English may be the key to national
development, but preserving the different dialects is the key to preserving our heritage.
This includes native songs and dances, folktales, beliefs, traditions and others. All
efforts must be made to preserve our heritage by translating them in Filipino and
propagating them through the different parts of the country.

Regional languages and provincial dialects are important because they remain the
lingua franca (common language) outside of Metro Manila. If you live in the province,
it is the language you use at home. It is the language you are most familiar with and
find easiest and most comfortable to speak every day. Because of this, most probably
you express yourself best in this language.

Be proud of your dialect. It is the embodiment of your cultural and traditional
roots. Do not be ashamed to speak it in public. But neither should you brag about it,
judging other dialect-speaking groups as inferior. We live in a culturally diverse
country. Each and every different dialect and culture is precious and beautiful,
however different each may be.

Let’s Try This

This is how Filipino, English and the local dialects should be. One should not be
considered better than the other. All are equally important. If they are allowed to work
together, they can help us improve our lives and our country.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Fill in the blanks with the necessary words or phrases to complete the following
statements.

The DECS Bilingual Education Policy involves

In the Philippines, English is used in

English is important for Filipino OFWs because

My local dialect is important because

Filipino, English and our local dialects are _________________________.
All three together can help us attain a prosperous, peaceful and stable nation.

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key here. If you got three
or more correct, congratulations! You have successfully finished the last lesson of
this module. You may now take the post-test. Good luck!

If you got 1, 2 or no points at all, just go back to the parts of the lesson you did
not understand before taking the post-test.

Let’s Remember

It is important for you to keep in mind that although you must learn, speak and
appreciate our national language, you should also do the same for English and the
other languages and dialects spoken in the country. They are equally important and
serve useful functions that can help us improve our lives and our country.

We have talked a lot about how our present official national language developed.
We have also learned about studies that show how Filipino is increasingly becoming
accepted and spoken by more and more Filipinos every year. We have said that every
Filipino must learn to speak Filipino in order for us to grow in strength and unity as a
nation. But what exactly is Filipino? This is a very important question, and one that we
will try to answer here.

After studying this lesson, you should know our national language fairly well.
You should be able to tell the difference between it and other Philippine languages,
particularly Tagalog. You should also be able to tell when and how it should be used.

How did you find the activity? Did you have any difficulty translating the
paragraph into Filipino?

Let’s Think About This

Do you think Filipino is just Tagalog with a new name?

If you answered no to the first question, how do you think Filipino is different from Tagalog? Use the translation in the previous activity to guide you.

You will find out more about this issue in the discussion that follows.

Let’s Learn

If you will observe the translation on page 28, you will notice that Filipino is still
very similar to Tagalog, but many words have been changed. Let us look at some of
these:

TAGALOG

FILIPINO

guro

titser

silid-aralin

klasrum

aklat

libro

pisara

blakbord

tisa

tsok

mag-aaral

estudyante

takdang-aralin

asayment

Can you see how the words have been changed? More importantly, can you tell
why they have been changed?

Look at the new Filipino words again. Do they sound familiar? They probably do.
They are borrowings from other languages spoken in the Philippines, particularly
English and Spanish. If you look at them closely, you will notice that:

titser is derived from the English word teacher;
klasrum is derived from the English word classroom;
libro is the exact same Spanish word for “book”;
blakbord is derived from the English word blackboard;
tsok is derived from the English word chalk;
estudyante is derived from the Spanish word estudiante; and
asayment is derived from the English word assignment.

So you can see that Filipino is different from Tagalog because it borrows more
heavily from other languages. Words from other languages are respelled, adopted,
affixed and borrowed. They are often written the way they are pronounced by
Filipinos. This is done in order to acknowledge the fact that these languages are a big
part of our culture. Most Filipinos often use these English and Spanish words instead
of their Tagalog equivalents. They are commonly used in everyday conversations and
even in television and radio programs and newspapers. At present, Filipino borrows
most heavily from the English language. Here are some more Filipino terms borrowed
or adapted from English:

ENGLISH

FILIPINO

ENGLISH

FILIPINO

accusation

akusasyon

faculty

fakulti

action

aksyon graduate

gradweyt

appointed

apoynted

identity

aydentiti

artificial

artipisyal

individual

indibidwal

broadcast

brodkast

mass media

mas midya

business

bisnis

national

nasyonal

category

kategori

official

opisyal

chairman

tserman

physical

pisikal

commercial

komersyal

property

properti

committee

komite

qualification

kwalipikasyon

context

konteksto

sector

sektor

control

kontrol

sentence

sentens

conversation

kumbersasyon

situation

sitwasyon

crisis

krisis

spiritual

ispiritwal

declared

idineklara

stress

istres

deliberate

delibereyt

textbook

teksbuk

discussion

diskasyon

tricycle

traysikol

election

eleksyon

variety

barayti

elementary

elementari

version

bersyon

We have looked at the foreign borrowings in the Filipino language, but what about
the borrowings from the local languages? Remember that in the 1987 Constitution,
Filipino is supposed to be “further developed and enriched on the basis of existing
Philippine and other languages.”

At present there are very few borrowings in the Filipino language from other
local languages. This is understandable because Filipino is still in the process of
development. Let us just hope that, in the future, the definition of Filipino as stated in
our Constitution will be fulfilled. That is, Filipino will hopefully contain more
borrowings from other Philippine languages.

Let’s Think About This

Based on what we have discussed so far, how would you describe the Filipino
language?

Compare your answer with the one below:

The Filipino language is meant to be a beautiful mixture of different words,
concepts and tones from many languages used in the Philippines. Today, however, it
is still in the process of development and contains very few borrowings from local
languages. It is still based on Tagalog but it borrows heavily from many foreign
languages, most especially English.

Let’s Try This

Read the situations below and answer the questions asked.

In the spaces below, write what you think each of the Filipinos above must do:

Pedro

Julia

Polo

Vina

Do all your answers involve the use of Filipino, our national language? If so, then
you are right! Pedro must use Filipino in order to do business with the Samareños.
Julia should speak in Filipino in order to make friends and to work well with her
Manileño co-workers. Polo should make sure his film is in Filipino in order for all
Filipinos to understand it. Finally, Vina should sing her songs in Filipino so that the
entire country can understand and appreciate them. What does this tell you about the
use of Filipino?

Before we answer that question, let’s look at another situation.

Let’s Read

Loida is from Davao. She speaks Cebuano. She and her husband Dodong plant
orchids. They live in a small house beside the road. People passing by can see the
beautiful flowers that they grow. One day, Carmina, a flower shop owner from Manila,
noticed the flowers.

Carmina wanted to buy orchids for her shop. But since she was from Manila she
didn’t know how to speak Cebuano. It was a good thing Loida and Carmina both knew
how to speak Filipino. They were able to do business successfully. The two decided that
Loida and her husband would provide flowers for Carmina’s shop at a price that they
would set monthly.

To celebrate their sale and good fortune, Loida decided to take her children out for
a treat. They wanted to watch the new movie showing in town, starring a local action
hero. They invited Carmina to watch with them. Everyone enjoyed the movie because it
was written and performed in Filipino and they could all understand it very well.

After the nice movie, Carmina gave Loida and Dodong a book by F. Sionil Jose,
written in Filipino, as a parting gift. She also gave their children a casette tape of their
favorite song—“Sana Maulit Muli,” sung by Gary Valenciano. Eventually, Loida and
Carmina developed a good business relationship as well as a lasting friendship. To this
day, they often write each other letters, in Filipino of course!

Let’s Think About This

Based on the story, in what instances is Filipino useful as a medium of
communication?

Compare your answer with the one below:

In the story, the characters’ knowledge of Filipino became useful when:

Carmina arranged for Loida to supply flowers to her flower shop in Manila;

Carmina, Loida and her children watched a movie;

Carmina gave Loida and Dodong a book;

Carmina gave the children a casette tape of a Filipino song; and

Carmina and Loida developed a good friendship and frequently wrote letters
to each other.

This tells us that Filipino is useful in business transactions, in film, in literature,
in music and in personal communications between Filipinos from different provinces
or areas. In all of these cases it helps our people understand each other better and live
in harmony and peace.

Let’s Learn

There are no clear rules about the proper situations in which Filipino should be
spoken. You should use your common sense regarding this matter. But the instances in
which Filipino may be spoken and in which it can, in fact, be very useful include:

Business transactionsIf everyone speaks a national language, business transactions between
Filipino entrepreneurs and small businessmen from different parts of the
Philippines would be possible.

EducationIt is important that Filipino be taught in schools, so that children will be
able to learn the national language. Aside from this, other subjects may also
be taught in Filipino. The DECS Bilingual Education Policy provides for the
use of Filipino and English in schools. This will be discussed more in the
next lesson.

ServicesFilipino will be very useful in many important services involving health,
transportation, calamity relief and others. A Cebuano doctor needs to
understand what is ailing his Pampango patient, for example. Without the use
of a common language like Filipino, how can they understand each other?

Literature and entertainmentMovies, television shows, books and other forms of entertainment
would be better understood by all Filipinos if they are delivered or written in
a language common to all. In fact, the use of Filipino in literature and
entertainment is one of the best ways to teach the people how to speak
Filipino. It is also a good way to show the beauty of the language.

InformationImportant news events and other significant pieces of information, if
broadcast or delivered in Filipino, may be easily understood by people from
all over the country.

Personal communicationPerhaps the most important function of our national language is to bring
us Filipinos closer together. If you use Filipino when conversing, writing
letters or emails or in any other form of personal communication, you can
gain many more new friends from all over the country.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Answer the following questions.

Enumerate the instances that we have discussed in which the Filipino
language may be spoken and may in fact be very useful. Cite an example for
each. (2 points each)

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key on pages 53–54. Are all or
most of your answers correct? The perfect score for this test is 20. If you got 11 and
above, very good! You have passed the test and may go to the last lesson.

If you got 10 points and below, that’s okay. Review this lesson first before
proceeding to the next one.

Let’s Remember

Filipino is different from Tagalog because it contains heavy borrowings
from English and other languages. It is meant to be a mixture of different
languages used in the Philippines. Today, however, it is still in the process of
development and contains very few borrowings from local languages. It is
still based on Tagalog but it borrows heavily from many foreign languages,
most especially English and Spanish.

Filipino is very useful in many aspects of life, including business, education,
services, literature, entertainment, information and personal
communications.

Lesson 2

Of all the many languages spoken in our country, which one is our national
language? Do you know how we came to have one? Are you familiar with how it was
developed? Are you aware of the many issues surrounding its development and use?
Now that you know how important a national language is for a country and its
people, it is time to discuss our very own national language. After studying this
lesson, you should be able to confidently answer “yes” to the questions above. Ready?
Okay, let’s begin.

Let’s Read

One day, I overheard three kids from my neighborhood—Paulo, Sheila and
Dennis—arguing about the Philippine national language. This is how their discussion
went:

Let’s Try This

What about you? Do you know what our national language is? Check your answer
below.

Tagalog
Pilipino
Filipino

If you answered Filipino, you are correct!
But why did I tell the children that they are all correct but all wrong? Can you
figure out the answer? Think carefully about what the children said, then write your
ideas below.

Now compare your answer with the one below:

All of the children are right in a way, but they are also all wrong in a way.
Why? Well, let’s review the statements made by each child.
Paulo said that the national language of the Philippines is Pilipino. He is right
in a way—our national language was indeed originally called Pilipino. This was
decades ago, however. Pilipino used to be the name of our national language. It is
no longer true today. So he is also wrong.
Sheila said that the national language is Tagalog. Well, in a way she is right
because our national language was originally derived from the Tagalog language.
But it is different from Tagalog. So she is not entirely right.
Of all three children, Dennis gave the most accurate answer. The official name
of the national language of the Philippines today is indeed Filipino. This is the
term used in both the 1973 and 1987 Philippine Constitution to refer to the
“national language” of the Philippines. However, Dennis was wrong when he said
that Filipino is totally different from Pilipino and Tagalog. As we have discussed,
our national language used to be called Pilipino, and it was derived from Tagalog.

Let’s Learn

Even before the Spaniards came to our country, our ancestors were already using
different languages. They were divided into different groups who lived in different
parts of the islands. There were dark and curly-haired people living in the mountains.
They spoke a different language from the fishermen living by the sea. There were also
farmers in the different islands who spoke different languages.
When the Spaniards came, instead of establishing a national language, they even
encouraged language differences among Filipinos so that they could have better
control over them. However, they established one language—Spanish—as the official
medium of communication to be used in formal schools, religious ceremonies and
government transactions. Thus, Spanish words became part of many local languages
and dialects.
When the Americans took over, they made sure that Filipinos learned how to
speak English. They considered education in English a useful way to unify a people
that spoke many different languages and dialects. So teachers taught English all over
the country. This was the only language used for instruction. English became the first
national language of the Philippines.
After some time, people in the government began seriously discussing the need
for a national language. They argued that it was necessary for national solidarity and
independence.

Manuel L. QuezonPresident Manuel L. Quezon recognized the country’s need for a national
language. He said that it “constitutes one of the strongest ties that bind the people and
foster the unity of national ideals, aspirations and sentiments.”

This issue was brought up in the Constitutional Convention held at the time. As a
result, the 1935 Constitution provided at last for the “development and adoption of a
common national language based on one of the existing native dialects.” Accordingly,
the National Language Institute was created to undertake the selection of the said
native dialect. This was composed of eleven representatives from different
communities around the country. After a survey and study of existing local languages,
the Institute recommended Tagalog as the core or basis of the national language.
In 1937, President Quezon proclaimed Tagalog as the basis of the national
language. He believed that having our own national language would help resolve
differences among Filipinos who spoke different languages and dialects. He also
wanted the Filipinos to speak a language not borrowed from the Spaniards or the
Americans. He even declared August 13 to 19 of every year as the National Language
Week or Linggo ng Wika in honor of the Philippine national language. For these
reasons, Manuel L. Quezon is known to this day as the Father of the Filipino Language.

Let’s Think About This

The selection of Tagalog by the National Language Institute sparked a lot of
controversy. “Why Tagalog?” many non-Tagalog speakers wanted to know. Why,
indeed, did the Institute not choose Cebuano, Ilocano or Hiligaynon instead? There are
many other dialects spoken in the country aside from Tagalog.
Do you agree with the National Language Institute’s conclusion that Tagalog
should be used as the basis for the national language of the Philippines? Why or why
not?

Compare your answer with the one below.

After serious deliberations on the studies that they conducted, the National

Language Institute selected Tagalog as the basis of the national language. The
reasons why Tagalog was chosen were the following:

Tagalog is widely spoken and is the most understood language in all the
regions of the Philippines. It is spoken in Manila, central and
south-central Luzon, the islands of Marinduque and Mindoro, and some
parts of Mindanao.

It is not divided into dialects, like Visayan for example.

Tagalog literature is the richest. More books are written in Tagalog than
in any other native language.

Tagalog has always been the language of Manila, the capital city, even
before the Spaniards came.

Tagalog was the language of the Revolution and the Katipunan – two
events in our history that we can truly be proud of.

The poet Francisco Baltazar Balagtas wrote the epic poem Florante at Laura,
one of the greatest literary treasures of the Philippines, in Tagalog.
So yes, I would have to agree with the Institute’s findings.
Nevertheless, I believe the national language should only be lightly based on
Tagalog, and should contain many elements from the other languages spoken
around the country.

Let’s Learn

The controversy about the Philippine national language continued. The use of
Tagalog as the basis for the national language offended many Filipinos. They believed
that their languages were not represented in the national language. They refused to
accept the Tagalog-based national language.

To show that the national language was not really Tagalog, but just based on it, it
was named Pilipino in 1959. Pilipino was gradually introduced as the medium of
instruction all over the country. Filipino children were made to study both Pilipino
and English and were taught all their lessons in these two languages. This was called
the bilingual education policy. Bilingual means “two languages.”

But many Filipinos still would not accept Pilipino. Do you know why? Look at
the following words:

Can you imagine using these words in your daily conversations? Have you ever
heard somebody say in ordinary speech: “Binigyan ako ng salumpuwit sa
salimpapaw upang mag-aral ng sipnayan”? Can you imagine a mother saying to her
young daughter: “Iha, kailangan mo nang magsuot ng salongsuso.” Many people
found these words funny and ridiculous.

Pilipino became very artificial because many new words were created to be
included in it that nobody really wanted to use. Furthermore, many people protested
that it was still very similar to Tagalog.

To solve the problem, a new language was proposed. This time it would still be
based mainly on Tagalog, but it would include many elements from the different local
and foreign languages spoken in the Philippines. The 1973 Constitution stated that the
new language, to be called Filipino, should be developed and eventually adopted as the
common national language of the Philippines. Meanwhile, Pilipino and English would
remain the official languages of the country.

Finally, in 1987, it was declared in the Constitution that, “the national language
of the Philippines is Filipino. As it evolves, it shall be further developed and
enriched on the basis of existing Philippine and other languages.” Filipino was to
be used in all official communications. It would also be the medium of instruction in
schools. It would serve as an instrument of unity and peace for national progress.

Assigned to look after the development of Filipino is the Commission on the
Filipino Language (Komisyon sa Wikang Filipino). The commission is mandated to
undertake, coordinate and promote research for the development, propagation and
preservation of Filipino and other Philippine languages.

On July 15, 1997, President Fidel V. Ramos declared August of every year as
“National Language Month,” He chose August because President Manuel L. Quezon,
considered the Father of the National Language, was born on August 19.

Let’s Think About This

Do you think that more Filipinos are using or are able to speak our wikangpambansa today? What is your basis for your answer? Write your answers below.

Read the answer below. Compare it with yours.

A study was undertaken by Xavier University on which Philippine language
was most widely used by Filipinos throughout the years. It clearly indicates that
from 1960 to 1990, the number of those who were using Filipino as a language
increased more than that of those using other Philippine languages. The study
shows that Filipino is becoming effective as a national language; it is being
patronized by the people.
In fact, a 1989 NSO survey revealed that 92 percent of Filipinos were at least
able to speak the wikang pambansa, thus effectively establishing Filipino as the
national language of the Philippines.

Let’s Try

Do you think Filipino has really been accepted by the Filipino people as their
national language? Find out for yourself. Conduct a survey in your community. Here
are the questions you should ask your friends and neighbors:

Do you speak Filipino?

Do you accept Filipino as our national language?

Afterward, review the information you have gathered and write your conclusions
on a piece of paper. Discuss your findings with your Instructional Manager or
co-learners, friends and family members.

What do they think about your findings?

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Put a check mark (4) in the box before the correct answer.

Even before the Spaniards came, our ancestors were already speaking a
common language.
Correct
Incorrect

The first national language of the Philippines was
Tagalog
Pilipino
Filipino
none of the above

Pilipino was not accepted by many Filipinos because
it was still mostly Tagalog-based
it contained many artificial words that nobody wanted to use
both of the above (the first and second statements)
it was based on a foreign language

The ______ Constitution proclaimed Filipino the official national language
of the Philippines.
1935
1973
1987
1945

Filipino was created in 1987 and is now a fully-developed language.
Correct
Incorrect

Finished? Look in the Answer Key on page 53 to check your answers. If you got
at least 3 points, congratulations! You may now move on to the next lesson.
If you got 1 or 2 points, or none at all, don’t be discouraged. This lesson

contained many dates and facts that may be confusing. All you need to do is go back
and study these again. It would be better if you take the above test again to see if
you’ve understood this lesson well before proceeding to the next one. Good luck!

Let’s Remember

The first national language of the Philippines was English.

A new national language was developed in the 1930s. But because it was
based on Tagalog, many non-Tagalog speakers did not accept it.

President Manuel L. Quezon helped bring about the development of a new
language that would be the official Philippine national language. For this
reason, he is known to this day as the Father of the National Language.

The national language was named Pilipino in 1959 in order to correct the
misconception that it was really plain Tagalog. Many new words were coined
for Pilipino, but these were too difficult and artificial, and many people did
not accept them.

A new national language was conceived, to be named Filipino. This was
provided for in the 1973 Constitution. Meanwhile, English and Pilipino
remained the official languages of the country.

The new language, Filipino, was finally proclaimed as the official national
language of the Philippines in the 1987 Constitution. According to the
constitution, Filipino is to contain borrowings from the different local and
foreign languages spoken in the country.

Studies show that, so far, Filipino has been accepted, learned and spoken by
more and more Filipinos every year.

Answer Key

F— Filipino is based on Tagalog, but is also different fromTagalog because it has borrowed many elements from foreign and
local languages, especially English.

F— The national language is important, but our local dialects are
also important. They represent our cultural heritage and diversity.

F— English is just as important as the national language. It is the
international language and the second official language of our
country.

b.

(a). One of the reasons why Tagalog was adopted as the basis of our
national language is because it is the language spoken in Manila,
the capital city. (c) is wrong because the judges in the Assembly
that decided on a national language were from different regions in
the Philippines. (b) is wrong because Tagalog, English and Spanish
are all equally important languages. (d) is wrong because although
President Quezon did speak Tagalog, the decision to choose
Tagalog did not come from him, but from the judges.

(b). It is better to use Filipino or English as the need arises. Using
only Filipino (a) will put us at a disadvantage when competing
globally. Using only English (c) will not promote our cultural
identity. Using neither Filipino nor English (d) will not work,
either. Filipino and English are known to more people than any
other Philippine language.

(c). For his determination in having a national language, Manuel L.
Quezon is considered as the Father of our National Language.

(d). Having a national language is important because it promotes
learning through teacher-student interaction, allows effective
exchange of ideas and information, and enables people to interact
with each other.

(c). Your local dialect is just as important as English and Filipino.

B. Lesson 1

Let’s Try This

NAME OF GIRL

PROVINCE

LANGUAGE

1. Nena

Butuan

Cebuano

2. Minda

Batangas

Tagalog

3. Amy

Ilocos Sur

Ilocano

4. Lila

Bicol

Bicolano

5. Karina

Marawi

Maranao

6. Leslie

Samar

Waray

7. Ana

Pampanga

Pampango

The girls in the boarding house understand each other well and are in
fact very good friends because they all know how to speak the national
language, Filipino.

Like the girls in the boarding house, all Filipinos from different regions
with different cultures can live together in harmony and peace if they
can understand each other through a national language.

Let’s Try This

Personal communication

Education

Exchange of information

Teamwork

Let’s See What You Have Learned

dialect

eight

identity

social, political

speak

C. Lesson 2

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Incorrect. The statement should be: Even before the Spaniards came,
our ancestors were already speaking different languages.

none of the above. The first national language of the Philippines was
English.

both of the above (the first and second statements)

1987

Incorrect. Filipino was made the official language of the Philippines in
1987. It was not created then. As it is, it is still in the process of
development up to the present.

D. Lesson 3

Let’s See What You Have Learned

a.(4 points each)

Tagalog is a local language spoken in Manila and in central and
south-central Luzon, the islands of Marinduque and Mindoro, and
some parts of Mindanao. Filipino is the Philippine national
language. It is based on Tagalog but contains heavy borrowings
from other languages, particularly English.

The Filipino language is meant to be a beautiful mixture of
different words, concepts and tones from many languages used in
the Philippines. Today, however, it is still in the process of
development and contains very few borrowings from local
languages. It is still based on Tagalog but it borrows heavily from
many foreign languages, most especially English.

b. (2 points each)

business transactions
Ex. When a Cebuano fruit dealer wants to do business with a fruit
vendor in Manila, they should speak a common language.

education
Ex. Filipino is taught in schools all over the country and many
subjects are taught in this language.

services
Ex. A Pampango plumber and his Cebuano customer need to
understand each other in order for the plumber to know
exactly what needs to be done.

literature and entertainment
Ex. Many good Filipino movies, such as Muro-ami and Jose
Rizal, are in Filipino.

information
Ex. Many television networks, newspapers and radio stations
deliver news in Filipino.

personal communications
Ex. Filipinos from different language groups can communicate
and become friends through a common language.

E. Lesson 4

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Answer to questions 3 and 4 are sample answers only. Your answers may
be slightly different. You can show them to your Instructional Manager for
additional feedback.

the use of both English and Filipino as mediums of instruction in
schools all over the country

media; entertainment; official proceedings and functions; in
courtrooms; in the Senate; in government offices; in business
transactions; in math, science and technology; in dealings with
foreigners; on the Internet; and in many other areas of Philippine life

through it, they are able to work abroad, be understood by and live in
harmony with people from different parts of the world

it represents my cultural heritage and it is a reflection of the cultural
diversity that makes the Philippines a beautiful country

equally important

E. What Have You Learned?

Answers to questions A and B are sample answers only. Your answers
may be different. You can show them to your Instructional Manager for
additional feedback.

a. The Filipino language is meant to be a beautiful mixture of different
words, concepts and tones from many languages used in the Philippines.
Today, however, it is still in the process of development and contains
very few borrowings from local languages. It is still based on Tagalog
but it borrows heavily from many foreign languages, most especially
English.

b. A national language can help:

a country achieve political strength and stability;

in the economic growth of a nation;

promote understanding and mutual appreciation among the people
of a country;

link the people of a nation wherever they are in the world, as a
badge of national identity; and

establish friendships and communication among people from
different language groups in a country.

c.

True. At present, English is still one of the official languages of
our country. Our constitution states that Filipino and English shall
be used as mediums of instruction in our country.

False. The Bilingual Education Policy of DECS involves the use of
English and Filipino as mediums of instruction.

True. One of the reasons why Tagalog was chosen as the basis for a
national language is because it is the language spoken in Manila,
which is the capital city of the Philippines.

False. Filipino should be spoken by all Filipinos along with
English and their native dialects.

True. A national language promotes economic, political, social and
cultural development.

Lesson 1

How important is a national language? For an archipelago such as the Philippines, with 7,107 islands in which many different languages and thousands of dialects are spoken, it is very important indeed!

In this lesson, we will discuss the different functions of a national language. After studying it, you should be able to easily identify the importance of a national language in a country’s social, political, cultural and economic growth. You should thus be able to explain why every Filipino needs to learn to speak our national language.

What did you feel after singing the song? Did you understand what it is trying to
say? Write down what you think the song is about in the spaces provided below.

The song is written in Filipino, our national language. It tells us that using and
being proud of our national language is a way of showing our love for our country.
Almost all countries have a national language. Do you want to know why? Read
this module carefully to learn about the importance of a national language to a country
and its people.

Let’s Read

Read the comic strip below carefully.

Let’s Try

Did you enjoy reading about Nena and her friends? Answer the questions below
to see how much you understood.

The girls in the boarding house come from different places in the
Philippines. Can you name the province each girl comes from and the
language that she and her people speak?

NAME OF GIRL

PROVINCE

LANGUAGE

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

Try to answer Nena’s final question: how indeed do the girls in the boarding
house communicate with each other and understand each other so well if
they speak different languages? Write your ideas below.

Imagine that the boarding house is the Philippines and the girls who live
there are groups of people from different regions of the country. What can a
national language do for the Filipinos?

Now it’s time to look in the Answer Key here and compare your answers
with the ones given there.

Let’s Learn

Did you know that hundreds of different languages are spoken all over the
Philippines? Of these, eight are considered “mother tongues” or major languages:
Ilocano, Pangasinan, Pampango, Tagalog, Bicol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray-
Samarnon. For each of these languages, there are hundreds of dialects spoken in
different places all over the country.

Do you know how a language is different from a dialect? A language is a system
of communication used by a very large number of people. For example, many people
from the Visayas speak Cebuano. But because they belong to different groups who live
in different regions there, some of them developed different ways of speaking
Cebuano. Some words may have been changed a little, or the way it is spoken may be
different. This difference in the way a language is spoken is called a dialect. A dialect
is spoken by a smaller number of people. Most people who speak different dialects of
the same language understand each other, but some do not.

Can you imagine how difficult it would be for Filipinos speaking different
languages and dialects to understand each other if there were no common language?
And what would happen if we could not communicate with each other? Would there be
lots of fighting as a result of misunderstanding? What aspects of our daily lives would
be affected if we were not able to communicate well with each other?

The following are aspects of our lives that are affected by communication:

Personal communication – What is the language that you use when you
communicate with members of your family, your friends or relatives? Are
you using a language that can be understood by all? Do you have a relative
who lives in another province and speaks another language? How will you
express your feelings and ideas to him/her if you don’t speak the same
language?

Education – How can a teacher or instructor successfully impart knowledge
to the learners if they speak different languages? Can you imagine an
Ilonggo-speaking teacher discussing lessons with an Ilocano-speaking
learner? A national language effectively promotes learning. Student-teacher
interaction and exchange of information is successfully performed through a
national language.

Exchange of information – We communicate with other people to
exchange information. What would happen if the information given to us was
spoken or written in a language that we do not understand? Then, the
exchange of information would not be done effectively.

Planning and decision-making – Whether you are in a family, group or
community, planning and decision-making will be best achieved if there is
understanding among the members. Understanding can be achieved if the
people express themselves in a language common to them.

Teamwork – In building something, let’s say a house, all the builders or
carpenters must work together as a team to produce the best quality house.
What will happen if one of them decides to place the kitchen where the other
intends to place the bathroom? This will create a problem. Again, building a
house, or anything for that matter, can be done if there is understanding
among the members of a group or team. This can be done if they
communicate well with each other.

Community participation – Each member in the community can share his/
her opinion through the use of a national language. Because they are able to
express their ideas and opinions, there will be understanding among the
members and they will be united.

Legal system – It is important that rules, laws and guidelines be written in a
single language that can be understood by all. In this manner, confusion will
be avoided. How would you be able to follow a law if you do not understand
it?

The function of language is to communicate ideas and emotions and give
information. Without a national language, different ethnic groups (Cebuano, Ilocano,
Kapampangan, etc.) in the Philippines would not understand each other and the
exchange of ideas and feelings would not be possible. Without a national language,
there would be an absence of communication and instruction, thus an absence of unity
among the people.

Let’s Try This

Identify the aspect of people’s daily lives affected by language as described in
each of the statements below.

__________ Lina tried to talk to her Ilocano grandfather, but she
couldn’t understand what he was saying.

__________ Perla has just transferred to her new school in Cebu.
She is confused as to what her teacher is saying
because her teacher is using Cebuano in her
instructions.

__________ Mang Ramon, a businessman in Pangasinan, is in
Bacolod to attend a seminar on new breeds of mangoes.
Much to his surprise and confusion, the main speaker
spoke in Ilonggo, a language that he does not
understand.

__________ In a seminar that Fe attended, the participants were
grouped and given a task to perform. When she found
the group to which she belonged, she found out that she
and her groupmates were from different regions in the
Philippines and they all spoke different languages.
Their problem was how they would work together.

For a better illustration on how miscommunication due to differences in
language spoken can affect one’s daily life, read the comic strip in the next activity.

Let’s Read

One day, Marie received a phone call from her uncle who lives in Pampanga. He
has been there since he was five years old. He now speaks Pampango. From his frantic
voice over the phone, Marie sensed that there was something wrong. But she cannot
understand Pampango because she grew up in Manila. Let’s see what happened.

Let’s Think About This

What would you do if you were Marie? What would you say next?

Let’s see how Marie resolved the problem.

What did Marie say to her uncle who was clearly in distress?

Marie’s grandmother was brought safely to the hospital. Can you imagine what
would have happened if there were no common language Marie and her uncle could
use to communicate?
The story shows how important a national language is, not only for our country,
but in our daily lives as well.

Let’s Think About This

Can you tell how having a national language can benefit our country in terms
of how our government runs it and how the people participate in its
development?

How can having a national language benefit our economy?

How can having a national language affect the social and cultural
development of our country?

A national language can help us achieve political unity and strength.
If Filipinos don’t understand each other, how can they express their
ideas and opinions? But if we adopt a national language that everyone can
understand, everyone can express his/her ideas and opinions and participate
in the decision and policy-making processes of the government. This can be
done through debates, surveys and discussions. People will also be able to
follow laws and ordinances because these are written in a language that can
be understood by all.
Furthermore, the essence of democracy lies in “freedom of speech”
that the constitution grants to its citizens/people. The people can best enjoy
this if they can express their ideas and concerns to the different government
officials. And having one common language will guarantee that they will be
understood by the officials.

A national language can help a lot in our country’s economic development.
Imagine what would happen if Filipino traders and businessmen couldn’t
understand each other. How would they transact business? By this is meant
transactions between Filipino entepreneurs with smaller business from
different parts of the Philippines who speak different languages. Big
business transactions, especially involving foreign companies, are still
conducted in English. What would happen to the country’s economy if
businessmen weren’t able to transact business?

A national language can promote social and cultural development.
This is another significance of a national language. It promotes social
and cultural development. When we say “social,” we refer to our daily
interactions with other people, whether individually or in a group. Through a
language that will be understood by all, an individual will be able to
successfully interact with his countrymen. On the other hand, when we say
“cultural,” this refers to practices, beliefs and traditions that are handed
down to us by our ancestors and are passed on to the next generation. Native
folklore, riddles, proverbs, dances, music, games and sports and even values
from all the ethnic groups in our country can be preserved and passed on to
many generations if translated in a common language. For example, the
native Ilocano folktale, Biag Ni Lam-ang, can be read by the different ethnic
groups—even those from Mindanao or Visayas. This can be done if it is
translated into a common language. The various folklore, riddles, proverbs,
dances, etc. of the different ethnic groups are enriched as they are
propagated by the national language.
The most important purpose of a national language is to promote
understanding and mutual appreciation among the people of a country. With a
national language, people can live in harmony with each other in a politically
and economically stable nation.
If all Filipinos speak a national language, everyone would be able to
participate in the economic and political systems of the country. This way,
we will not only help to improve our country, but our lives as well.
How can a national language promote a cultural identity? To find out,
read on.

Let’s Read

In an apartment in San Diego, California, USA…

Let’s Think About This

Before you continue reading, try and answer Candy’s question first. Why not just
use English as our national language?

Now compare your ideas with the answer of Candy’s mother. Continue reading
the story.

Let’s Read

What does the story teach you? It shows you how our national language can be a
great bond that links Filipinos all over the country and the world. It is also a proud
badge of identity for millions of Filipinos working and living abroad.
Every free country has its own national language. Why do you think this is so? A
national language is a symbol of a people’s freedom, independence and unity. It
represents what we have gone through as a people (our history) and who we are at
present.
This is why it is important that every Filipino learn to speak our national
language.

Let’s See What You Have Learned

Fill in the blanks with the necessary word that will best complete the statements.
Choose your answer from the list of words below.

dialect

social

eight

identity

political

speak

A ________________ is a regional variation of a language.

There are now __________ major languages being used in the Philippines.

Filipinos all over the world use the national language as a badge of ____________.

A national language can help in our country’s ____________, cultural economic and _______________ development.

Every Filipino should learn to ______________ the national language.

Compare your answers with those in the Answer Key below. Are most of
your answers correct? Great! You may proceed to the next lesson.
If you got only 3 (or less than 3) of the 5 items right, that’s okay. Just review the
lesson, especially the parts you did not understand or remember.

Let’s Remember

A language is a system of communication used by a great number of people.
A dialect is a different version of a certain language spoken by a smaller
group of people.

There are eight major languages spoken in the Philippines: Ilocano,
Pangasinan, Pampango, Tagalog, Bicol, Cebuano, Hiligaynon and Waray-
Samarnon. There are hundreds of dialects for each of these languages.

A national language can help us in the following ways:
— It helps us communicate with each other more easily.
— It gives us get a sense of our national identity.

A national language can help in the social, economic and political
growth of our country.

It is important that every Filipino be able to learn and use the national
language. Literacy in a national language is an important key to development.